GM slap fight
The Ford plan came on the heels of GM’s recent gas giveaway, named the “Fuel Price Protection Program.” The plan reimburses buyers of sedans and SUVS in Florida and Southern California for gas costs above $1.99 per gallon, for one year. They should have called it the Get Misty for February 28, 2005 Plan, seeing as that was the last time national gas prices were below 2 bucks. The offer, good through July 5, has taken heavy criticism, most notably from New York Times columnist Tom Friedman. He wondered if there was, “a company more dangerous to America's future than General Motors,” and compared the General to a "crack dealer looking to keep his addicts on a tight leash.” In response, GM’s Bob Lutz said that Friedman was “so 'over the top' that it borders on psychosis." At which point Friedman called Lutz a nerd, and then Bob pulled Tom’s hair, and they both got sent to the principal’s office for a good swat.There, we hope Bob learns about Oil Dependence day. That’s right -- according to the Automotive News, there’s a new day that would make the happiest person cry, right next to Tax Freedom day -- Oil Dependence Day. It’s when Americans become fully dependent for the rest of the year on imported oil. The day? May 31st, which means we get 35 “free” days between tax man and the foreign oil man. That’s just 35 days of freedom.
Shoot. Well, at least we can get practically free cars from Ford.
Photos courtesy of the automakers